Tell the Secretary of Defense: Military Dogs Are Veterans, Not Equipment

These dogs lay their life on the line in protecting our troops every day. They have saved thousands of soldiers' lives on the battlefield, and often continue to serve as companions to wounded veterans when they get home. Members of the armed services and the general public all agree -- the heroic Military Working Dogs that serve alongside our troops (and often, ahead of them) are veterans, not equipment.

Letter to

Secretary of DefenseHon. Leon E. Panetta

Members of the armed services and the general public all agree -- the heroic Military Working Dogs that serve alongside our troops (and often, ahead of them) are veterans, not equipment.

Sen. Blumenthal and Rep. Jones are introducing a new bill to build on the foundation of "Robby's Law" (10 U.S.C. 2583) to extend the protections these canine veterans so richly deserve.

This bill calls for the military to reclassify Military Working Dogs as canine veterans, and to provide transportation and medical care for them using publicly donated funds.

I am joining this petition to urge you: "Don't wait! Just go ahead and put these changes in place now without waiting for Congress to pass a new law."

These dogs lay their life on the line in protecting our troops every day. They have saved thousands of soldiers' lives on the battlefield, and often continue to serve as companions to wounded veterans when they get home.

Our military prides itself on decisive leadership. Be all you can be. Do the right thing. Please give the order today to start making these changes.